The Shelter Inc., a local agency that provides emergency housing for children, will celebrate its 25th anniversary Thursday with an open house.

The agency is inviting the public to drop in from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at its youth shelter at 1615 Lindenwood Lane.

The event includes a dedication ceremony at 5:30 p.m. to name the agency’s two shelters in honor of its founding board members.

The shelter on Lindenwood, opened in 2000, will be named the Williams House in honor of Jonell Williams. The agency’s original home at 342 Mo., opened in 1981, will be named the Winter House after Wint Winter Jr.

In addition to providing emergency housing, the agency offers prevention programs, foster care and adoption services, and intake services for juvenile offenders.